Just Walk On By - Brent Staples

What incident inspired Brent Staples to write Just Walk On By?

A white woman ran away from him late at night, assuming he was a threat.

How does Staples describe his physical appearance during the first encounter?

1. tall (6’2)

2. broad black man with a beard

3. billowing hair

4. bulky military jacket

What does Staples mean when he says he had an "unwieldy inheritance"?

He inherited the social perception that his presence as a Black man could be seen as threatening in public spaces.

What dangers does Staples associate with being perceived as dangerous?

He risks violent misunderstandings, especially when fear combines with weapons or police intervention.

Why does Staples say women’s fear of him is not entirely unfounded?

1. women are often victims of violence

2. statistically, young Black men are overrepresented among perpetrators

How did Staples’ upbringing in Chester, Pennsylvania, shape his views on violence?

1. witnessed gang violence, arrests, and deaths

2. made him avoid intimidation and value survival

What happened when Staples rushed into his office with a deadline story?

1. mistaken for a burglar

2. chased by security

3. nearly detained

How did a jewelry store proprietor react to Staples entering her store?

She brought out a Doberman pinscher on a leash and stared at him silently.

What strategy does Staples use to seem less threatening on nighttime walks?

He whistles classical music by composers like Beethoven and Vivaldi.

What metaphor does Staples use to describe his whistling strategy?

He compares it to hikers wearing cowbells in bear country to signal harmlessness.

What rhetorical appeal does Staples rely on most in the essay?

He relies heavily on ethos (credibility and character), showing himself as educated, gentle, and nonviolent.

How does Staples use pathos in the essay?

He evokes emotions such as fear, empathy, and alienation by describing women fleeing, people locking doors, and his humiliation.

How does Staples establish his ethos early in the essay?

mentions his:

1. education

2. gentle nature

3. inability to harm even a chicken,

contrasting with the stereotype of a violent Black man

What is the significance of Staples shifting the title from Just Walk On By to Black Men and Public Space?

The revised title emphasizes the social issue of race and space rather than just personal encounters.

What rhetorical effect does Staples achieve by including personal anecdotes?

1. make the argument vivid, relatable, and credible

2. appeal to both ethos and pathos

How does Staples use juxtaposition in the essay?

He contrasts his harmless intentions (walking, insomnia) with others’ fearful interpretations (mugger, rapist).

What role does logos play in Staples’ argument?

He logically acknowledges crime statistics and women’s vulnerability, while still showing the irrational overgeneralization of fear.

Why does Staples include examples of other Black men’s experiences?

To show that his experiences are not isolated but part of a broader societal problem, strengthening his argument.

How does the anecdote about the Doberman pinscher function rhetorically?

1. highlights the extremity of racial prejudice through irony and exaggeration

2. evokes both shock and sympathy

What is the overall purpose of Staples’ essay?

1. to reveal how racial stereotypes shape public space

2. to argue for empathy, awareness, and the humanizing of Black men